Leicester could finally upgrade on Demarai Gray by beating Southampton to Ademola Lookman

According to a recent report from print edition of The Daily Star (January 8, page 47) (via HITC), Ademola Lookman could be set for a move away in this month’s transfer window. The 21-year-old currently plays his football at Premier League outfit Everton and has done so since leaving Charlton Athletic back in 2017, although a lack of regular game time under new Toffees boss Marco Silva has called his future at Goodison Park into question.

And reports suggest that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton are eyeing up a January move for the £18 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt), as should Leicester City manager Claude Puel as he seeks an upgrade on the hugely inconsistent Demarai Gray.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, while there is little doubting that England Under-21 international Gray has huge amounts of ability in the wide areas, the 22-year-old simply doesn’t translate that into meaningful contributions on a regular enough basis.

The winger has just two Premier League goals and one assist to show for his 18 appearances for the Foxes this term, while his overall tally since moving to the King Power Stadium back in January 2016 stands at eight goals and 12 assists in 122 appearances for the Midlands club.

And in failing to really ignite the game for Puel’s side off the bench in their 2-1 defeat to Newport County in the FA Cup at the weekend, a game in which the Foxes really needed Gray to produce the goods, the Leicester boss may well be looking at how he can upgrade on the Englishman in this month’s transfer window.

And Everton’s Lookman, also an England Under-21 international, may well be the man for the job.

The 21-year-old may have struggled for regular football at Everton this season with just one Premier League start to his name so far, but one only need look at his spell in the Bundesliga with Red Bull Leipzig last season to know that he can turn his undoubted talent into direct contributions.

The former Charlton man netted five goals and laid on four assists in just 11 appearances for the German outfit to help them to sixth place in the Bundesliga, all of which coming under the guidance of now-Southampton boss Hasenhuttl, who as such clearly knows how to get the best out of the 21-year-old, with the attacker producing a level of performance that many felt might earn him more regular football at Everton this time round.

That hasn’t happened though, and while some Leicester fans may be concerned that Lookman hasn’t delivered hugely in the Premier League during his time at Goodison Park, it is surely just a matter of time before he does if he gets the regular game time his ability undoubtedly warrants.

And that could well happen under Puel at Leicester given how inconsistent and ultimately frustrating Gray continues to be for the Foxes, with the Midlands outfit needing to beat Southampton to Lookman’s signature in a bid to finally upgrade on his compatriot.